Competition heats up in local TV news biz

Media platforms like podcasts and the Internet have taken a lot of the fun from the local news business. Money is tight, and competition is stiff. Entry-level reporters in the market make as little as $20,000 a year, and turnover is high. Advertising revenues are down, and stations are being forced to cut corners at a time when they are challenged to find new ways of reaching a dwindling audience. “Gone are the days when reporters would do one story that would air that night on the six o’clock news,” says WAFB General Manager Sandy Breland. “Now reporters are updating stories throughout the day on Web sites or for cell phone alerts and blogs. It’s a whole different ballgame.” Read 225’s story about the players, the stakes and their strategies by clicking here.